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OMBUDSMAN INFORMED ABOUT VIOLATION OF RIGHTS OF THE ARMENIAN MINORITY OF GEORGIA
On May 28, 2014, Public Defender (Ombudsman) of Georgia presented
the 2013 Parliamentary Report on the Protection of Human Rights and
Freedoms in Georgia to representatives of civil society and diplomatic
missions accredited in Georgia. Public Defender highlighted tendencies
and priorities in the field of human rights covered in the 2013 Report
and provided a brief overview of series of major recommendations for
various branches of government.
At the meeting, Mr. Levon Isakhanyan, Head of the Legal Affairs
at the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, highlighted a discriminatory
approach towards restitution of property confiscated from the religious
minorities in Georgia during the Soviet regime. He noted that numerous
churches that historically belonged to the Armenian, Catholic, and
other religious denominations, have been appropriated and used by the
Georgian Orthodox Church. Mr. Isakhanyan also stressed the demolition
of Armenian churches in the country, including the Mughnetsots Surb
Gevorg Church (14th century) and the Surb Nshan Church (18th century),
both located in one of the historic districts of Tbilisi. Another
issue raised was a perception of national minorities as a potential
source of instability in the country.
In addition, it was noted that some Azerbaijani officials interfered
in the internal affairs of Georgia that resulted in violation of the
cultural rights of the Georgian Armenian community. Mr. Isakhanyan
pointed out that the Georgian authorities did not take appropriate
actions to deal with this situation.
In his response, Public Defender stated that some of these issues had
been addressed in the 2013 Report. Public Defender also inquired about
details regarding the interference of the Azerbaijani authorities in
Georgia's internal affairs. Detailed information about this case will
soon be provided to Public Defender.
http://www.ardzagank.ge/en/5/193-05
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mY-LVWukdo
On May 28, 2014, Public Defender (Ombudsman) of Georgia presented
the 2013 Parliamentary Report on the Protection of Human Rights and
Freedoms in Georgia to representatives of civil society and diplomatic
missions accredited in Georgia. Public Defender highlighted tendencies
and priorities in the field of human rights covered in the 2013 Report
and provided a brief overview of series of major recommendations for
various branches of government.
At the meeting, Mr. Levon Isakhanyan, Head of the Legal Affairs
at the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, highlighted a discriminatory
approach towards restitution of property confiscated from the religious
minorities in Georgia during the Soviet regime. He noted that numerous
churches that historically belonged to the Armenian, Catholic, and
other religious denominations, have been appropriated and used by the
Georgian Orthodox Church. Mr. Isakhanyan also stressed the demolition
of Armenian churches in the country, including the Mughnetsots Surb
Gevorg Church (14th century) and the Surb Nshan Church (18th century),
both located in one of the historic districts of Tbilisi. Another
issue raised was a perception of national minorities as a potential
source of instability in the country.
In addition, it was noted that some Azerbaijani officials interfered
in the internal affairs of Georgia that resulted in violation of the
cultural rights of the Georgian Armenian community. Mr. Isakhanyan
pointed out that the Georgian authorities did not take appropriate
actions to deal with this situation.
In his response, Public Defender stated that some of these issues had
been addressed in the 2013 Report. Public Defender also inquired about
details regarding the interference of the Azerbaijani authorities in
Georgia's internal affairs. Detailed information about this case will
soon be provided to Public Defender.
http://www.ardzagank.ge/en/5/193-05
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mY-LVWukdo